WKU News

WKU CARES has received the Gold Award in the NASPA Excellence Awards, highlighting its outstanding commitment to supporting students through innovative programs and personalized coaching services. This national recognition underscores the impact of WKU CARES in fostering student success, particularly among off-campus, non-traditional and military-connected students.  
  
The NASPA Excellence Awards celebrate institutions that are transforming higher education through exceptional programs and services. WKU CARES was recognized for its dedication to providing individualized coaching, essential resources and a supportive community to ensure academic and personal success.  
 
“At WKU CARES, we believe that every student deserves the support and tools necessary to thrive academically and personally,” said Tanya Vincent, Program Manager, Online Services at WKU. “This recognition reinforces the importance of meeting students where they are and helping them realize their potential.”  
 
WKU CARES Coaching Program has seen remarkable growth in student engagement and success. By prioritizing holistic support, the program empowers students to navigate their educational journeys with confidence and resilience.  
 
“Our philosophy of 'Support the Student. Build Student Confidence. Develop Strategies.' is the foundation of everything we do at WKU CARES,” said Tammy Dorris, Specialist, Online Student Services and Outreach. “This award celebrates the incredible strides our students make when they feel empowered and connected.”  
 
The Gold Award distinction places WKU CARES among the top student support initiatives in the country. WKU CARES will be recognized at the 2025 NASPA Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA. As a Gold Award recipient, they were also considered for Grand Gold, Grand Silver and Grand Bronze distinctions.  The program will be showcased in a collection of award recipients on the NASPA Excellence Awards website, along with being prominently displayed in the conference program book. WKU CARES will be featured in the award-winning programs e-book and invited to participate in a poster session at the annual conference in March.  
 
For more information about WKU CARES and its student success initiatives, visit wku.edu/online/coaching.

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Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.